Free Agents and Transactions in the NFL | Winners and losers

The NFL’s New Year officially kicked off last Wednesday and there’s been plenty of action over the past two weeks. In addition to the free agent market, a few major deals rocked the league, including the controversial trade that sent Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns. Here’s our list of winners and losers so far.

Miguel Bujold
The Press

The decision of the Cleveland Browns to have compromised in order to obtain Deshaun Watson would have reacted one way or the other. But this one is even more criticized after they choose to give him an annual salary increase of 7 million…

Last Thursday, Watson and his camp had informed the Browns that they were no longer in the race to obtain his services from the Houston Texans. The quarterback would continue his career with the New Orleans Saints or the Atlanta Falcons.

Watson likely changed his mind when the Browns agreed to tear up the contract he signed with the Texans in 2020, which was to pay him $39 million per year from 2022 to 2025. Cleveland instead offered him $46 million per season, an annual increase of 7 million.

But that’s not all: the Browns have agreed to guarantee the entire contract, down to the last penny of the 230 million that Watson must receive during this period. Unheard of in NFL history.

The lawsuits against Watson have not led to criminal charges, but nothing has yet been settled on a civil basis. No less than 22 women who are massage therapists have accused Watson of crimes of a sexual nature. We are not talking about an isolated incident. A suspension from the NFL is to be expected, but Watson and the Browns planned for it… The Browns hired Jacoby Brissett as a second and paid almost all of the money expected in the first year of Watson’s contract in the form of a bonus. This way, Watson’s annual salary in 2022 will only be approximately one million. So if he’s actually suspended by the NFL, he won’t lose much financially.

It would have been one thing for the Browns to get Watson, but giving him a raise and making sure he got all the contract money no matter what happens is beyond belief. Several teams judged that Watson had become radioactive and were in no way interested in getting him despite his young age and exceptional talent. The Browns, they have instead chosen to improve the fate of Watson. Let’s say it sends a funny message. Like freeing up proud veterans like Jarvis Landry, JC Tretter and Austin Hooper, for that matter. Presumably the money set aside for Watson was a factor in the dismissal of these three players.

One can also wonder about the Browns’ decisions to get Amari Cooper from the Dallas Cowboys and to designate David Njoku as a franchise player. Njoku has never produced like the former first-round pick he is, having totaled 148 catches, 1,754 yards and 15 touchdowns in five seasons. Cooper, on the other hand, lacks intensity and consistency, and certainly isn’t one of the NFL’s top 10 wide receivers, commanding an average annual salary of $20 million.

In short, the Browns have made some very questionable decisions lately. And being part of a division that also includes the defending AUS champion Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers, those picks could ultimately keep them in the basement of the standings.

The other losers

Jacksonville Jaguars

Because they have to pay some form of tax in order to convince free agents to come to Jacksonville, the Jaguars almost always have to overpay when making acquisitions in the free agent market. This time it was wide winger Christian Kirk who benefited the most. Although it remains to be determined if he can be a team’s first receiver, Kirk could make 72 million over the next four years (18 million per season). Brandon Scherff is an excellent guard, but he is already 30 years old, so it is difficult to understand why he agreed to sign a contract with the Jaguars if it is not for the money (49.5 million for three years). Annual salaries of 15 and 10 million respectively for linebacker Foyesade Oluokun and tackle Foley Fatukasi is too much money. And that’s not to mention the risk that all these highly paid players become “ fat cats “.

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were very interested in getting one of the available quarterbacks on the trade market, but weren’t successful. Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson were in their sights. Will they turn to the side of the 49^ers of San Francisco and Jimmy Garoppolo? Will head coach Matt Rhule instead choose to set his sights on a rookie with the sixth pick in the draft?

49^ers from San Francisco

Kyle Shanahan solved a long-standing problem by hiring Charvarius Ward. The presence of the former Chiefs should significantly improve a group of cornerbacks who could not rely on any top player. On the other hand, not sure that the decision to offer a two-year contract which could be worth more than 10 million to the return specialist Ray Ray McCloud was well advised. Above all, the Niners still have not traded Jimmy Garoppolo while very few teams are still looking for a quarterback. And it would be very risky to let Trey Lance spend another season on the bench after investing three first picks to get him.

Atlanta Falcons

Thanks in large part to Matt Ryan, the Falcons were generally respectable even if their roster leaves something to be desired. But while courting Deshaun Watson, they painted themselves in the corner as their veteran quarterback likely demanded a trade. Ryan will continue his career with the Indianapolis Colts, which should be good for him. It is Marcus Mariota who should be the starting quarterback for the Falcons, who found themselves in trouble.

The winners

AFC West

The Denver Broncos found their missing piece in Russell Wilson, then added two good players to their defensive line, Randy Gregory and DJ Jones. The Los Angeles Chargers added quarterback fighter Khalil Mack and excellent cornerback JC Jackson to their defense, while managing to keep receiver Mike Williams with them. New head coach Josh McDaniels and the Las Vegas Raiders have signed defensive end Chandler Jones and landed Davante Adams via trade. Then the Kansas City Chiefs found a good replacement in Tyrann Mathieu by signing Justin Reid and gave Patrick Mahomes a new toy with the acquisition of JuJu Smith-Schuster, who will add some dog to the offense of the Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs. The competition in the American West division will be as tough as it is captivating in 2022. We can’t wait.

The Cincinnati Bengals

The finalists of the last Super Bowl have lost virtually no players and have finally overcome their greatest weakness. The hirings of tackle La’el Collins, guard Alex Cappa and center Ted Karras should significantly improve their offensive line and protection ahead of Joe Burrow. The Bengals lost tight end CJ Uzomah, but hired Hayden Hurst to replace him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady’s return after a short 40-day break was great news in itself for the Buccaneers, but it also convinced several key players at the club to stay in Tampa Bay. Center Ryan Jenkins signed a contract before he could even test the free agent market. Receiver Chris Godwin agreed to a three-year contract after being named a franchise player. Cornerback Carlton Davis has signed a three-year deal, too. And on Tuesday, running back Leonard Fournette and the Bucs announced a new three-year deal worth $21 million. But that’s not all. Bucs got guard Shaq Mason from New England Patriots in return for meager 5 pick^and round and signed Russell Gage (three years for 30 million), who was the Falcons’ best wide receiver in 2021.

Pittsburgh Steelers

As usual, the Steelers didn’t sign any “big” names, but were very active in the free agent market, who had a lot more space under the salary cap than they normally do. James Daniels and Mason Cole will improve an offensive line that has been one of the worst in the NFL in 2021. Myles Jack will finally give them inside linebacker good at pass coverage and cornerback Levi Wallace has steadily improved over the course of of his four seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Mitchell Trubisky represents an interesting and inexpensive bet at quarterback. All of these players are 27 years of age or younger.

Houston Texans

It was doubted that GM Nick Caserio would manage to get three first picks back from Deshaun Watson as he wanted, but that’s exactly what he did. In addition to owning the Browns’ first pick in 2022, 2023 and 2024, the Texans received a third pick in 2023 and a fourth in 2024, in return giving up their fifth pick of 2024 in addition to Watson. Not a bad comeback considering several teams didn’t have the slightest interest in the quarterback. It’s a great way for the Texans to continue a reconstruction that looks much faster than expected.